Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Shiloh Photos (Part 2)


Common 6-pounder cast iron cannon could fire solid balls, exploding shells or scatter "grape" shot into advancing infantry.

Firing demonstration at Shiloh National Battlefield of a bronze 10-pounder.  Each unit of artillery required five or six men to operate and there were four to six units in each battery.

After mopping the bore, a measured powder charge is rammed into the breech followed by the ball or shell ordered by the artillery officer.

After the cannon is loaded, the command to fire is given and the crew braces for the sound of the explosion.

Notice the amount of smoke from only one blast of a lightweight demonstration charge.  Imagine how soon the forest would fill from the smoke of a dozen units firing as fast as they could reload.

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